Public Records Resources for Clay, Minnesota

Official government websites for Clay, Minnesota and the surrounding area. All links point to .gov, .us, or .mil domains.

About Clay County

County Seat Moorhead
Established 1858

Court Records & Case Information

Clay County Minnesota Court Address: 807 11th Street North, Moorhead, MN 56560\nPhone: 218-299-5020\nFax: 218-299-5030\nHours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Clay County Minnesota court jurisdiction is located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The address is 807 11th Street South, Moorhead, MN 56560. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including family law, probate, juvenile, and traffic cases.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • Most agencies charge copying fees consistent with Minnesota Statutes Section 13.03.
  • Processing times for record requests typically range from 3-10 business days depending on the complexity and volume of records requested.
807 11th Street North, Moorhead, MN 56560

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Courts & Case Records

  • Detailed documents may require in-person viewing or certified copies with associated fees.
  • Clay County Court Administrator's office manages record requests and can provide certified copies for a statutory fee of $14 for the first page and $5 for each additional page.
  • The courthouse also houses the conciliation court (small claims) division handling disputes under $15,000.
  • Probate matters, including estate administration and guardianship proceedings, are also processed through the District Court.
  • Online filing is available through the Minnesota Courts E-Filing System for attorneys and registered self-represented litigants.
807 11th Street North, Moorhead, MN 56560

Property & Public Records

  • Recording fees are established by Minnesota Statutes Section 357.18 and vary by document type.
  • Certified copies of recorded documents are available for $10 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
807 11th Street North, Moorhead, MN 56560

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate if records are readily available; mail requests take 7-10 business days.
  • Online ordering is available through VitalChek for an additional convenience fee.
  • The marriage license fee is $115.
807 11th Street North, Moorhead, MN 56560

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • The state maintains a searchable online database at mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us where the public can verify business registrations, view entity status, registered agents, and filing history at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Clay County, Minnesota?
To search for someone recently arrested in Clay County, Minnesota, you can use the inmate lookup tool available on the Clay County Jail's website. the local Jail is located in Moorhead, and their online system allows you to search for current inmates by name. For further assistance, you can contact the jail directly at their main phone number.
Mugshots or booking photos in Clay County, Minnesota, can be obtained from the Clay County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests and can provide access to booking photos upon request. You may also check their official website for any available online portals or contact them directly for more information.
To obtain a criminal background check in Clay County, Minnesota, you should contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The BCA provides statewide criminal history checks, which include records from Clay County. You can request a background check through their website or by visiting their office in person.
You can look up sex offenders in Clay County, Minnesota, by accessing the Minnesota Predatory Offender Registry. This registry is managed by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and provides information about registered sex offenders throughout the state, including those residing in Clay County. The registry is available online and can be searched by name or location.
You can register to vote in Clay County through the Minnesota Secretary of State's online portal at mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us, by mail, or in person at the Clay County Auditor-Treasurer's Office at 807 11th Street North, Suite 103, Moorhead. Minnesota allows Election Day registration at your polling place with proper proof of residence, or you can register in advance up to 21 days before an election. The Elections Division at (218) 299-5014 can answer questions about registration requirements and assist with absentee ballot requests, which are available to all Minnesota voters without requiring an excuse.
Property records in Clay County can be searched through the Clay County Recorder's Office website at www.co.clay.mn.us/departments/recorder, which offers free online access to recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens with searchable images. The region Assessor's Office provides a free online GIS parcel viewer showing property boundaries, assessed values, tax information, and ownership details, accessible through the county website. For certified copies or assistance, contact the Recorder's Office at (218) 299-5023 or the Assessor's Office at (218) 299-5004, both located in the courthouse at 807 11th Street North, Moorhead.
Certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring in Clay County can be obtained from the Clay County Recorder's Office at 807 11th Street North, Moorhead, phone (218) 299-5023, for $26 for the first copy and $19 for additional copies ordered simultaneously. You must provide valid photo identification and prove your eligibility under Minnesota Statutes Section 144.225, which restricts access to the person named (if 18+), parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives. Alternatively, you can order from the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Vital Records at (651) 201-5970 or online through VitalChek, with processing times of 7-10 business days for mail requests or immediate service for in-person visits to the Recorder's Office.
Business records in Clay County can be researched through multiple sources depending on the business type. The Clay County Recorder's Office at (218) 299-5023 maintains assumed name (DBA) certificates filed under Minnesota Statutes Section 333.01. For formal business entities like corporations and LLCs, search the Minnesota Secretary of State's free online database at mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us to verify registrations, view entity status, and see filing history. Local business licenses issued by municipalities are maintained by city offices such as the City of Moorhead at (218) 299-5166, while building permits and zoning records are available through Clay County Planning and Zoning at (218) 299-5020.

Nearby Counties

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